TOXIC WOODS CHART

WOOD

REACTION

SITE

POTENCY

SOURCE

OCCURS

Bald Cypress

sensitizer

respiratory

+

dust

rare

Balsam Fir

sensitizer

eyes, respiratory

+

leaves bark

common

Beech

sensitizer, nasopharyngeal cancer

eyes, skin

++

dust, leaves, bark

common

Birch

sensitizer

respiratory

++

dust, wood

common

Black Locust

irritant

eyes, skin

+++

leaves, bark

common

Blackwood

sensitizer

eyes, skin

++

dust, wood

common

Boxwood

sensitizer

eyes, skin

++

dust, wood

common

Cashew

sensitizer

eyes, skin

+

dust, wood

rare

Cocobolo

sensitizer, irritant

eyes, skin, respiratory

+++

dust, wood

common

Dahoma

irritant

eyes, skin

++

dust, wood

common

Ebony

sensitizer, irritant

eyes, skin

++

dust, wood

common

Elm

irritant

eyes, skin

+

dust

rare

Gonalco Aves

sensitizer

eyes, skin

++

dust, wood

rare

Greenheart

sensitizer

eyes, skin

++

dust, wood

common

Blackwood (Surinam)

sensitizer

eyes, skin

+++

dust, wood

common

Hemlock

nasopharyngeal cancer

respiratory

?

dust

unknown

Iroko

sensitizer, irritant, pneumoitis alveolotis

eyes, skin, respiratory

+++

dust, wood

common

Mahogany (Swietenia)

sensitizer, pneumoitis alveolotis

skin, respiratory

+

dust

unknown

Mansonia                                 "               "

sensitizer, irritant                                nausea, malaise

eyes, skin

+++                 +

dust, wood                               dust

common

Maple (C. Cortticale mold)

sensitizer, pneumoitis alveolotis

respiratory

+++

dust

common

Mimosa

nausea, malaise

respiratory

?

leaves, bark

unknown

Myrtle

sensitizer

respiratory

++

dust, leaves, bark

common

Oak

sensitizer, nasopharyngeal cancer

eyes, skin

++

dust, leaves, bark

rare

Obeche

sensitizer, irritant

eyes, skin, respiratory

?

dust, wood

common

Oleander

direct toxin, nausea, malaise, cancer

++++

dust, wood, leaves, bark

common

Olivewood

sensitizer, irritant

eyes, skin, respiratory

+++

dust, wood

common

Opepe

sensitizer

respiratory

+

dust

rare

Padauk

sensitizer, nausea, malaise

eyes, skin

+

dust, wood

rare

Pau Ferro

sensitizer

eyes, skin

+

dust, wood

rare

Peroba Rosa

irritant, nausea, malaise

respiratory

++

dust, wood

unknown

Purpleheart

nausea, malaise

++

dust, wood

common

Quebracho                                 "                 "

irritant, nausea, malaise                                     nasopharyngeal cancer

respiratory

++                    ?

dust, leaves, bark                dust

common          unknown

Redwood                               "               "

sensitizer, pneumoitis alveolotis                                 nasopharyngeal cancer

eyes, skin, respiratory

++                    ?

dust                                   dust

rare              unknown

Rosewoods

sensitizer, irritant

eyes, skin, respiratory

++++

dust, wood

common

Satinwood

irritant

eyes, skin, respiratory

+++

dust, wood

common

Sassafras                              "                "                                 "                "

sensitizer                                                            direct toxin                                 nasopharyngeal cancer

respiratory                          nausea, malaise

+                        +                    ?

dust                                   dust, wood, leaves, bark       dust

rare              rare                 rare

Sequoia

irritant

respiratory

+

dust

rare

Snakewood

irritant

repsiratory

++

dust, wood

rare

Spruce

sensitizer

respiratory

+

dust, wood

rare

Walnut, Black

sensitizer

eyes, skin

++

dust, wood

common

Wenge

sensitizer

eyes, skin, respiratory

++

dust, wood

common

Willow

sensitizer, nausea, malaise

respiratory

+

dust, wood, leaves, bark

unknown

Western Red Cedar

sensitizer

respiratory

+++

dust, leaves, bark

common

Teak

sensitizer, pneumoitis alveolotis

eyes, skin, respiratory

++

dust

common

Yew                                             "   "                                    

irritant                                                      direct toxin, nausea, malaise,                 nasopharyngeal cancer

eyes, skin

++              ++++             ++++

dust                                    dust, wood

common           common                  common

Zebrawood

sensitizer

eyes, skin

++

dust, wood

rare

**Information copied from data sheet by Robert Woodcock, RN, BSN, CEN

* Wear Eye Protection At All Times  (Preferably A Full Face Shield)
* Use a Power Air Mask When Working With Hazardous Woods
* Use Air Filter Mask While Turning And Sanding
* Beware Of Fumes Generated From Finishing
* Wear A Helmet When Turning Large Objects
* No Loose Sleeves Or Hanging Clothing
* Wear Ear Protection When Neccessary
* Remove All Jewelry And Watches
* Think First, Then Turn!

Protect yourself!

Minnesota
Woodturners
Association